Women-owned businesses are on the rise. Currently, around 32% of UK businesses are owned by women. This represents a massive shift as only 17% of business founders were female in 2016. On one hand, being a female entrepreneur comes with a whole unique set of challenges. There may come a time when it becomes impossible to do it all on your own, that is where Virtual Assistants come in.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing; usually, it means that business is picking up and that you are on a roll. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help and needing an extra set of hands. On the other hand, you may be looking to place more focus on your personal life in the name of achieving work-life balance. This is also an excellent time to bring on someone new to tackle tasks that you just aren’t getting around to.

Either way, your most valuable resource as a female entrepreneur is your time. And it’s how you choose to use it that affects how and when you achieve what you want in life. Take charge of your time by hiring a virtual assistant to tackle those time-consuming admin tasks that get in the way of you focusing on your career or personal life.

Expertise and fresh insight

Virtual assistants come from a variety of backgrounds and many of them have in-depth expertise in a particular industry. When you work through a virtual assistant agency like ours, you’ll be matched with the perfect assistant based on your industry and your specific needs. When you work with a virtual assistant, you’ll be tapping into years of expertise and a vast skill set.

Nothing helps solve problems better than a fresh set of eyes. Sometimes, when you have worked on the same project for hours on end, you can start to miss mistakes or even run out of ideas. Bringing a new, experienced virtual assistant on board means getting a fresh perspective from someone who may help to spot errors, solve problems, and come up with effective ideas that could elevate what you’re working on.

Taking the hassle out of hiring

If your business is growing quickly but you simply can’t afford to hire someone in-house, or the thought of the recruitment process is daunting, hiring a virtual assistant is the solution. Usually, when you outsource to a virtual assistant agency, you pay per hour. This means you pay for the work being done and nothing else. This ends up being far more cost-effective than the overheads involved with hiring in-house.

You also won’t have to waste your valuable time on the HR process involved with hiring someone new. It can take months to find the right candidates, interview them, bring them on board, and train them. When you use a virtual assistant agency, you can rest assured that your assistant has been fully vetted, all the necessary background checks have been done, and they’re set up and ready to start helping you.

Consider your admin-handled

The admin involved in running a business can really bog you down. From emails flooding your inbox, endless phone calls and meetings, and even client liaison can really get in the way of you being a productive businesswoman. Virtual assistants are admin specialists and can help lighten your load by:

• Managing and organising your inbox. This way, you have someone sorting through the clutter and answering basic emails while you focus on the ones that need your attention. It may even help you reach inbox zero!
• Managing your schedule. Your virtual assistant becomes the gatekeeper between you and anyone who needs your time. People are less likely to waste your time if they must go through someone to get to speak to you. They can also ensure you have enough time carved out for important tasks or family commitments.
• Being the point of contact for your clients.
• Handling bookkeeping, invoicing, payroll, and office management.
• Streamlining your personal admin from booking flights and accommodation for your next family holiday to doing your online shopping.

As your business grows, so does the amount of admin that needs doing. Having a virtual assistant on board to help you with admin tasks can make a world of difference.

Time to do what matters

Perhaps the best way that a virtual assistant can help you as a female entrepreneur is by giving you time back to focus on the things that matter most, like working on your business and not in your business. Sourcing quality leads, meeting with key stakeholders, and developing new avenues for growth are far more important than the pesky business admin that someone else can handle.

It also gives you more time to spend with your loved ones, whether it be a family barbeque or attending your child’s sports match.

Spending time focusing on the things you enjoy makes you a more productive and effective businesswoman.

A shot at a work-life balance

Female entrepreneurs are known for carrying a heavier mental load compared to male entrepreneurs. In a world where businesswomen are also expected to be the perfect wife and mother as well as achieve success in their careers, there is an added pressure to perform. This type of pressure can quickly lead to burnout and other mental health issues.

The best way to lighten that mental load is to work on achieving a work-life balance. We know this is easier said than done, but by having a virtual assistant on board who you can delegate to makes it easier to work towards a balance.

With the month of March including International Women’s Day, Women’s History Month, and Mother’s Day, a lot of focus is being placed on acknowledging and celebrating women. As a woman in business, celebrate yourself, your achievements, and your growth by hiring a virtual assistant to give you time back to focus on what matters most. Contact us to find out more about hiring a virtual assistant.